Check it Out: Celebrate the season of kindness and giving at the library

By Virginia Roberts

Rhinelander District Library Director

We have all read or heard “If you can be anything, be kind.” It sounds like a good idea. Something we are all told to do from the time we are old enough to understand that biting your friends is wrong. But kindness, in the dark of the year, is frequently in short supply.

Kindness is difficult sometimes in this era of differing opinions, the bustle of preparing for the holiday, or just dealing with family you may have never fully understood. Kindness above all is a practice. It means, if you are able, giving of your time, talent, or something of value to a place or person in need. Some days, it means just trying to get along in the world and understanding others are trying to do the same. Kindness has a double benefit. It benefits the receiver, who is most grateful. It also benefits the giver. Even if no one ever knows about the kindness – which is, in many cases, the reality of it – the giver knows they created a small kindness. They hope it grows beyond just them.

Small kindnesses are scheduled all through the month of December at Rhinelander District Library. A gingerbread house contest has been sponsored for patrons by Flanders Realty Group and Ben the Man for the Land. Limited kits are available at the main desks. All structural items (except the base) should be (theoretically)edible. There will be three categories of house building for public judging; pre-k through sixth grade, seventh through 12th grade/adult, and families. Entries are due at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Public voting on the houses will be through Dec. 11, and prize winners announced Monday, Dec. 13.

There is a lovely Christmas ornament craft for take and make the month of December.

So that staff may serve you better, the library will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 8 for an in service training on a new library catalog interface among other things. Thank you in advance for your kindness and understanding.

On Thursday Dec. 9, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the Friends of the Library are once again sponsoring the annual Holiday Tea at the library. Two packets of tea and prepackaged cookies will be given out by the Friends and while supplies last. Mugs, tee shirts, and other items from the Re-Tale Shop on deep discount and available for purchase during teatime!

Hot Cocoa Day is Monday, December 13. To thank you for your support this year, RDL has cocoa packets for you!

And of course, the Rhinelander District Library Foundation Ced Vig Holiday Book Fund is ongoing Dec. 1 through the end of March, 2022. Ced Vig was a visionary in the community, knowing how important the books and reading are to everyone – and his foresight and kindness live on to this day through this annual campaign. All proceeds go to assist the library in maintaining a healthy collection for the community

During this coming holiday, into the next and throughout 2022, please be kind. There are those who deserve kindness which makes it easy to do. But especially be kind to those who may not return it. It may just be a small spark that grows. Kindness can be life changing. Not just for those who receive it. Thank you.